Device for presenting fibrous material for spectrophotometric analysis

ABSTRACT

A cylindrical chamber open at one end and having a convex, transparent wall forming the other end thereof is inserted into the sample port of a spectrophotometer, the outer surface of the transparent wall conforming to the interior configuration of the sample port. Fibrous material to be examined spectrophotometrically is aspirated into the cylindrical chamber until the chamber is filled. The sample of fibrous material is then compressed at a chosen pressure, and the spectrophotometric reading is taken. The sample of fibrous material is then ejected from the chamber by a blast of air, and the chamber is ready for receipt of the next sample of fibrous material for spectrophotometric examination.

Elite Eatet [191 Greene Mar. 4, 1975 [75] Inventor: Gerald R. Greene, Anderson, SC.

[73] Assignee: Dow Badische (lompany,

Williamsburg, Va,

[22] Filed: Jan. 11, 1974 [21] Appl. No.: 432,735

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 12/1965 Coppock et al. 356/209 7/1969 Ellis et a1 356/195 Primary Examiner-Vincent P. MicGraw Attorney, Agent, or Firm-George F. Helfrich [57] ABSTRACT A cylindrical chamber open at one end and having a convex, transparent wall forming the other end thereof is inserted into the sampie port of a spectrophotometer, the outer surface of the transparent wall conforming to the interior configuration of the sample port. Fibrous material to be examined spectrophoto metrically is aspirated into the cylindrical chamber until the chamber is filled. The sample of fibrous ma terial is then compressed at a chosen pressure, and the spectrophotometric reading is taken. The sample of fibrous material is then ejected from the chamber by a blast of air, and the chamber is ready for receipt of the next sample of fibrous material for spectrophotometric examination.

1 Claim, 1 Drawing Figure DEVICE FOR PRESENTING FIBROUS MATERIAL FOR SPECTROPHOTOMETRIC ANALYSIS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates to optics in general, and in particular to an improved means for presenting a sample of fibrous material for spectrophotometric examination.

2. Prior Art In the manufacture and utilization of synthetic textile fibers, it is often essential that accurate and reproducible spectrophotometric examinations of samples of the fibrous material be effected. To this end, many expedients have been proposed, and a number of devices embodying these expedients have been manufactured and sold. Those of the type exemplified by US. Pat. No. 3,224,324 have been apparently satisfactory, as they comprehend the necessity for accurate reproduction of sample surface geometry and the elimination of time consuming operations such as sample weighing. However, such devices are found wanting in that: (a) the fibrous material is generally physically handled (which is capable of vitiating the subsequent spectrophotometric reading), or is handled by a complicated mechanical device (which is costly to both purchase and maintain) both of which handling operations are undesirable; (b) the devices for presenting the fibrous sample must be removed from the spectrophotometer and disassembled for both the withdrawal of an old sample of material and the insertion of a new one such operations resulting in the expenditure of valuable time; and (c) the collection and presentation of monofilamentary material is not readily and efficiently achieved. Such inadequacies are not acceptable in view of todays requirements for greater uniformity in finished products as well as simplicity and enhanced speed and efficiency in manufacturing and testing operations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, it is the object of this invention to provide a simple, yet highly efficient device for presenting a fibrous sample for spectrophotometric analysis, which device does not require either physical or complicated mechanical handling of the sample and need not be removed and/or disassembled for withdrawal of an old sample and the insertion of a new one. It is also an object of this invention to provide a simple, yet highly efficient device for presenting a sample of monofilamentary material for spectrophotometric examination.

In accordance with the present invention, these objects and advantages are achieved, and the disadvantages of the prior art are obviated by providing a device which compresses:

a. a cylindrical chamber for containing the sample to be presented, the chamber being open at one end thereof, and having:

1. a convex, transparent wall forming the other end thereof, the outer surface of the transparent wall conforming to the interior configuration of the sample port of a spectrophotometer;

2. an inlet tube secured hermetically at one end thereof to the cylindrical chamber in the vicinity of the transparent wall and terminating at the other end thereof in an aspirator orifice for receiving fibrous material, the inlet tube communicating along the length thereof with means for the supply of a gas thereto under pressure; and

3. an exhaust aperture located in the wall of the cylindrical chamber in proximity to the open end thereof; and

b. a piston mounted for slidable movement into and out of the cylindrical chamber, the piston being secured at its trailing surface to a rod which communicates with fluid actuating means for performing the sequential steps of:

l. positioning the leading surface of the piston within the cylindrical chamber at a location between the open end of the chamber and the exhaust aperture;

2. urging the leading surface of the piston toward the transparent wall of the cylindrical chamber at a chosen pressure; and

3. retracting the leading surface of the piston from the cylindrical chamber.

The cylindrical chamber is inserted into the sample port of the spectrophotometer, the outer surface of the transparent wall conforming to the interior configuration of the sample port. Fibrous material to be examined spectrophotometrically is aspirated into the cylindrical chamber through the inlet tube until the chamber is filled. The sample of fibrous material is then compressed at a chosen pressure, and the spectrophotometric reading is taken. The sample of fibrous material is then ejected from the cylindrical chamber by a blast of air, and the chamber is ready to receive the next sample of fibrous material.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING For a more complete understanding of the present invention, reference should be made to the detailed description of the preferred embodiments thereof, which is set forth below. This detailed description should be read together with the accompanying drawing, which schematically illustrates the construction and utilization of a device according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS With particular reference to the drawing, there is shown a device 11 according to the present invention. Device 11 comprises a cylindrical chamber 15, which is open at one end and has convex, transparent wall 20 forming the other end thereof. The outer surface of convex, transparent wall 20 conforms to the interior configuration 21 of sample port 22 of spectrophotometer 19, into which cylindrical chamber 15 is to be inserted and affixed by appropriate bracket means, either permanent or temporary. Cylindrical chamber 15 may be fabricated from a variety of construction materials such as metals and plastics, metals such as aluminum and steel being particularly useful and therefore generally preferred. Convex, transparent wall 20 is fabricated from ordinary glass, if ultra-violet and infra-red wavelengths are of no importance; or it is fabricated from quartz or fluorite if ultra-violet and/or infra-red wavelengths are to be considered for any reason. It is, of course, of sufficient thickness to withstand the pressure encountered in the normal utilization of the device, one-eighth to one-quarter of an inch having been found to be acceptable for ordinary glass. Convex, transparent wall 20 is secured hermetically to cylindrical chamber by means of a commercially available adhesive such as epoxy cement.

ln proximity to the open end of cylindrical chamber 15, at least one exhaust aperture 16 is located. Most advantageously, a number of such exhaust apertures are positioned in an annulus in proximity to the open end of cylindrical chamber 15.

Cylindrical chamber 15 has, in addition, an inlet tube 13 secured hermetically at one end thereof to cylindrical chamber 15 in the vicinity of convex, transparent wall 20, and terminating at the other end thereof in an aspirator orifice for receiving fibrous material such as yarn 12. Inlet tube 13 communicates with means 14 for the controlled supply of a gas such as air thereto under pressure, in order that fibrous material such as yarn 12 may be drawn into inlet tube 13 and thence passed into cylindrical chamber 15.

Mounted for slidable movement into and out of cylindrical chamber 15 is piston 17, which is secured to rod 23. Rod 23 in turn communicates with a fluid actuating means such as air cylinder 24, which is well known in the art and readily available commercially. By means of air supply means 25 and air exhaust means 26, air cylinder 24 is readily adapted by those of skill in the art to effect the following sequential steps:

1. positioning the leading surface of piston 17 within cylindrical chamber 15 at a location between the open end of cylindrical chamber 15 and exhaust aperture l6;

2. urging the leading surface of piston 17 toward convex, transparent wall at a given pressure, which is empirically determined for the particular fibrous material being employed; and

3. retracting the leading surface of piston 17 completely from cylindrical chamber 15.

Device 11 is operated as follows: Cylindrical chamber 15 is first inserted into sample port 22 of spectrophotometer l9 and is affixed by permanent bracket means. Fibrous material, such as yarn 12, is then inserted into the orifice of inlet tube 13. Air cylinder 24 is now actuated to position the leading surface of piston 17 within cylindrical chamber 15 at a location between the open end of cylindrical chamber 15 and exhaust aperture 16. Means 14 for the controlled supply of gas under pressure to inlet tube 13 is then actuated,causing yarn 12 to be aspirated into inlet tube 13 and passed into cylindrical chamber 15. The gas escapes from cylindrical chamber 15 through exhaust apertures 16, and yarn 12, which is accumulating inside cylindrical chamber 15, is kept therein by piston 17. When fibrous material such as yarn 12 will no longer enter inlet tube 13, the supply thereof is interrupted (e.g. yarn 12 is cut), and means 14 for the controlled supply of gas to inlet tube 13 is de-activated. Following this air cylinder 24 is activated to urge piston 17 toward convex, transparent wall 20 at a given pressure, chosen empirically for the particular fibrous material, e.g. Yarn 12, being employed. The spectrophotometric reading is now taken, at the completion of which the pressure on air cylinder 24 is released and piston 17 is retracted to a point completely outside of cylindrical chamber 15. Means 14 for the supply of gas to inlet tube 13 is then momentarily activated, whereby the sample of fibrous material (e.g.,

yarn 12) is blown out of cylindrical chamber 15. De- 5 vice 11 is thereby completely ready for receiving and presenting the next sample of fibrous material; for spectrophotometric analysis.

The pressure at which piston 17 is urged toward transparent wall 20, Le, the degree of compression of the sample of fibrous material, depends upon the type of sample being analyzed, particularly the denier and bulk thereof. The pressure chosen is that which stabilizes the amount of light reflected at all wavelengths under consideration.

It should be noted that there has been no physical handling of the sample of fibrous material (e.g., yarn 12) which has been presented for spectrophotometric analysis; there has been no removal of device 11 from the spectrophotometer in order to remove an old sample of fibrous material and insert a new one; and substantially the same amount of fibrous sample will be readily and conveniently presented each time for spectrophotometric analysis, there being no need for timeconsuming weighing operations.

What is claimed is: I

1. A device for presenting a fibrous sample for spectrophotometric analysis, which device comprises:

a. a cylindrical chamber for containing the sample to be presented, the chamber being open at one end thereof, and having:

1. a convex, transparent wall forming the other end thereof, the outer surface of the transparent wall conforming to the interior configuration of the sample port of a spectrophotometer;

2. an inlet tube secured hermetically at one end thereof to the cylindrical chamber in the vicinity of the transparent wall and terminating at the other end thereof in an aspirator orifice for receiving fibrous material, the inlet tube communicating along the length thereof with means for the supply of a gas thereto under pressure; and

3. an exhaust aperture located in the wall of the cylindrical chamber in proximity to the open end thereof; and

b. a piston mounted for slidable movement into and out of the cylindrical chamber, the piston being secured at its trailing surface to a rod which communicates with fluid actuating means for performing the sequential steps of:

l. positioning the leading surface of the piston within the cylindrical chamber at a location between the open end of the chamber and the exhaust aperture;

2. urging the leading surface of the piston toward the transparent wall of the cylindrical chamber at a chosen pressure; and

3. retracting the leading surface of the piston from the cylindrical chamber. 60 =1: 

1. A device for presenting a fibrous sample for spectrophotometric analysis, which device comprises: a. a cylindrical chamber for containing the sample to be presented, the chamber being open at one end thereof, and having:
 1. a convex, transparent wall forming the other end thereof, the outer surface of the transparent wall conforming to the interior configuration of the sample port of a spectrophotometer;
 2. an inlet tube secured hermetically at one end thereof to the cylindrical chamber in the vicinity of the transparent wall and terminating at the other end thereof in an aspirator orifice for receiving fibrous material, the inlet tube communicating along the length thereof with means for the supply of a gas thereto under pressure; and
 3. an exhaust aperture located in the wall of the cylindrical chamber in proximity to the open end thereof; and b. a piston mounted for slidable movement into and out of the cylindrical chamber, the piston being secured at its trailing surface to a rod which communicates with fluid actuating means for performing the sequential steps of:
 1. positioning the leading surface of the piston within the cylindrical chamber at a location between the open end of the chamber and the exhaust aperture;
 2. urging the leading surface of the piston toward the transparent wall of the cylindrical chamber at a chosen pressure; and
 3. retracting the leading surface of the piston from the cylindrical chamber.
 2. an inlet tube secured hermetically at one end thereof to the cylindrical chamber in the vicinity of the transparent wall and terminating at the other end thereof in an aspirator orifice for receiving fibrous material, the inlet tube communicating along the length thereof with means for the supply of a gas thereto under pressure; and
 2. urging the leading surface of the piston toward the transparent wall of the cylindrical chamber at a chosen pressure; and
 3. retracting the leading surface of the piston from the cylindrical chamber.
 3. an exhaust aperture located in the wall of the cylindrical chamber in proximity to the open end thereof; and b. a piston mounted for slidable movement into and out of the cylindrical chamber, the piston being secured at its trailing surface to a rod which communicates with fluid actuating means for performing the sequential steps of: 